It’s possible to have a tailbone injury after a slip and fall accident in an Indiana store. You should know what symptoms to expect.
What is a tailbone injury?
The tailbone or coccyx is located at the bottom of the spine. It can occur if a person suffers a slip and fall accident and lands on their buttocks. A tailbone injury can result in a bruise, dislocation or even a fracture.
Women are more likely to sustain a tailbone injury than men due to their pelvises being wider. The tailbone is also more exposed in women.
What are the symptoms of a tailbone injury?
If you have suffered an injury to your tailbone, you will notice certain symptoms. Pain localized to your lower back is common. You can also have pain in the buttocks, including when you’re sitting.
It’s also common to experience numbness in your rear. You may also see bruising or swelling around the base of your spine.
Women sometimes have pain during intercourse. Bowel movements are also painful, especially when you have to strain.
What are common treatments for a tailbone injury?
One of the most common treatments for a tailbone injury is to avoid sitting for too long. You can get an inflatable donut to sit on to ease some of your discomfort. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen is often helpful. Make sure to check with your doctor to see which medication is the most appropriate for you.
Applying ice to the injured area for up to 20 minutes several times per day can also help reduce the pain and swelling. You may also want to modify your diet to avoid getting constipated so that you can have easier bowel movements.
Tailbone injuries can be slow to heal and cause a lot of pain. If your slip and fall was due to someone else’s negligence, you might want to hold them accountable.
